Rustic Wedding Symphony
Encyclopedia
Rustic Wedding Symphony, Op. 26 (Ländliche Hochzeit) is a symphony in E flat major by Karl Goldmark
, written in 1875, a year before his renowned Violin Concerto No. 1
.
The symphony was premiered in Vienna
on 5 March 1876, conducted by Hans Richter
. Johannes Brahms
, who was a frequent walking companion of Goldmark's, and whose own Symphony No. 1
was not premiered until November 1876, told him "That is the best thing you have done; clear-cut and faultless, it sprang into being a finished thing, like Minerva from the head of Jupiter". Its first American performance was at a New York Philharmonic Society concert, conducted by Theodore Thomas
on 13 January 1877.
The work does not conform to the standard structure of a symphony, and it could just be named a Suite. It is in five movements rather than the usual four, which is same as Beethoven
's Pastoral Symphony
, Berlioz
's Symphonie fantastique
and Schumann
's Rhenish Symphony
. It is full of Central European charm, joviality and good humour. While Goldmark did not provide any specific program for the work, he did give each of the movements titles suggestive of aspects of a wedding in the countryside.
The first movement is a Wedding March (Hochzeitsmarsch) followed by a set of 13 variations. While variations are commonly found in symphonies, it is most unusual for them to appear in the first movement. The variations offer constant changes of tempo, meter, rhythm, mood and harmony, and display his fine craftsmanship.
The second movement is a Bridal Song (Brautlied). The third movement, Serenade, opens with a theme playes by two oboes, later developed by the strings. It includes an imitation of bagpipes, played on oboe, clarinet, bassoon and cellos.
The fourth movement, In the Garden (Im Garten), is slow and lyrical, its middle section moving to E flat minor. The finale, Dance, is the only movement of the work written in sonata form
. It opens with a fugue. The Garden theme briefly reappears, before the Dance returns to end the movement rousingly.
The Rustic Wedding Symphony was a favourite of conductors such as Thomas Beecham
and Leonard Bernstein
. It has been recorded a number of times, by conductors such as Beecham, Bernstein, André Previn
, Maurice Abravanel
, Jesús López-Cobos
, Yondani Butt
and Stephen Gunzenhauser.
Karl Goldmark
Karl Goldmark, also known originally as Károly Goldmark and later sometimes as Carl Goldmark; May 18, 1830, Keszthely – January 2, 1915, Vienna) was a Hungarian composer.- Life and career :...
, written in 1875, a year before his renowned Violin Concerto No. 1
Violin Concerto No. 1 (Goldmark)
The Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op.28 by Karl Goldmark was composed in 1877 and premiered in Bremen the same year. It consists of three movements:# Allegro moderato# Andante# Moderato - Allegretto...
.
The symphony was premiered in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
on 5 March 1876, conducted by Hans Richter
Hans Richter (conductor)
Hans Richter was an Austrian orchestral and operatic conductor.-Biography:Richter was born in Raab , Kingdom of Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire. His mother was opera-singer Jozsefa Csazenszky. He studied at the Vienna Conservatory...
. Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
, who was a frequent walking companion of Goldmark's, and whose own Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 1 (Brahms)
The Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, is a symphony written by Johannes Brahms. Brahms spent at least fourteen years completing this work, whose sketches date from 1854. Brahms himself declared that the symphony, from sketches to finishing touches, took 21 years, from 1855 to 1876...
was not premiered until November 1876, told him "That is the best thing you have done; clear-cut and faultless, it sprang into being a finished thing, like Minerva from the head of Jupiter". Its first American performance was at a New York Philharmonic Society concert, conducted by Theodore Thomas
Theodore Thomas
Theodore Thomas may refer to:*Theodore Thomas , American violinist and conductor*Theodore Thomas , American politician, Chicago alderman*Theodore Thomas , American film director and producer...
on 13 January 1877.
The work does not conform to the standard structure of a symphony, and it could just be named a Suite. It is in five movements rather than the usual four, which is same as Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's Pastoral Symphony
Symphony No. 6 (Beethoven)
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, also known as the Pastoral Symphony , is a symphony composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, and was completed in 1808...
, Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
's Symphonie fantastique
Symphonie Fantastique
Symphonie Fantastique: Épisode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties , Op. 14, is a program symphony written by the French composer Hector Berlioz in 1830. It is one of the most important and representative pieces of the early Romantic period, and is still very popular with concert audiences...
and Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
's Rhenish Symphony
Symphony No. 3 (Schumann)
Composed from November 2 to December 9, 1850, the Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish” in E flat major, Op. 97, is the last symphony that Robert Schumann composed, although it was not the last symphony that he published...
. It is full of Central European charm, joviality and good humour. While Goldmark did not provide any specific program for the work, he did give each of the movements titles suggestive of aspects of a wedding in the countryside.
The first movement is a Wedding March (Hochzeitsmarsch) followed by a set of 13 variations. While variations are commonly found in symphonies, it is most unusual for them to appear in the first movement. The variations offer constant changes of tempo, meter, rhythm, mood and harmony, and display his fine craftsmanship.
- The theme of the March is reminiscent of Adeste FidelesAdeste Fideles"Adeste Fideles" is a hymn tune attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade . The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century by John of Reading, though it has been concluded that Wade was probably the author.The original four verses of the hymn were...
, and is stated by cellos and basses in octaves. - Variation 1 is played in horns, clarinets and flutes
- Variation 2, Poco animato, introduces the violins
- Variation 3, full orchestra
- Variation 4, Andante con moto, B flat minor, the theme played by the violins
- Variation 5, Allegretto, basses, bassoons and horns
- Variation 6, Allegro vivace, horns, bassoons, flutes and violins
- Variation 7 involves part writing, again in a minor key
- Variation 8, Allegro scherzando, strings, flutes, oboes and clarinets
- Variation 9, minor key, basses, violins and flutes
- Variation 10, Molto vivace, violins with other strings pizzicato
- Variation 11, Andante con moto, violins, oboe and clarinet
- Variation 12, Moderato, a new melody based on the original theme, oboe, bassoon, viola and two violins
- Variation 13, after a brief fanfare, the original theme is played in the original tempo, but with the full orchestra, and then ends quietly.
The second movement is a Bridal Song (Brautlied). The third movement, Serenade, opens with a theme playes by two oboes, later developed by the strings. It includes an imitation of bagpipes, played on oboe, clarinet, bassoon and cellos.
The fourth movement, In the Garden (Im Garten), is slow and lyrical, its middle section moving to E flat minor. The finale, Dance, is the only movement of the work written in sonata form
Sonata form
Sonata form is a large-scale musical structure used widely since the middle of the 18th century . While it is typically used in the first movement of multi-movement pieces, it is sometimes used in subsequent movements as well—particularly the final movement...
. It opens with a fugue. The Garden theme briefly reappears, before the Dance returns to end the movement rousingly.
The Rustic Wedding Symphony was a favourite of conductors such as Thomas Beecham
Thomas Beecham
Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet CH was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras...
and Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
. It has been recorded a number of times, by conductors such as Beecham, Bernstein, André Previn
André Previn
André George Previn, KBE is an American pianist, conductor, and composer. He is considered one of the most versatile musicians in the world, and is the winner of four Academy Awards for his film work and ten Grammy Awards for his recordings. -Early Life:Previn was born in...
, Maurice Abravanel
Maurice Abravanel
Maurice Abravanel was aSwiss-American Jewish conductor of classical music. He is remembered as the conductor of the Utah Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years.-Life:...
, Jesús López-Cobos
Jesús López-Cobos
Jesús López-Cobos is a Spanish conductor.López-Cobos was born in Toro, Zamora, Castile-León, Spain. He studied at Complutense University of Madrid and graduated with a degree in philosophy...
, Yondani Butt
Yondani Butt
Yondani C. C. Butt is an orchestral conductor. He was born in Macao of Chinese parentage. He studied music at Indiana University and the University of Michigan...
and Stephen Gunzenhauser.